In 2009 BMW may reclaim its title as the most popular luxury brand in America. For eight straight years BMW has wound up in second place with Lexus taking the top spot.

With automakers reporting June sales tomorrow some numbers are already in and a quick comparison shows BMW ahead of Lexus by a slight margin. At the half-way point in the year Lexus has total sales of 73,186 units, compared to BMW’s 76,819 units.

Despite the popularity of BMWs, being at the top of the heap is not something the German automaker is familiar with. In fact, the only other time BMW was the sales-leading luxury maker was back in 1997.

Lincoln held the title in ’98 and Mercedes clinched it in ’99, with almost every year before then (back until 1946) attributed to Cadillac.

Sales of Lexus vehicles have decreased this year at a rate consistent with the market, with overall volume down 37.2 percent. BMW, however, is suffering slightly less with a sales decline of just 30.5 percent.

According to market share percentages the race is too close to call as both the German and Japanese luxury automakers can claim 1.9 percent of the overall U.S. market.

While BMW is ahead, Lexus may still give the German automaker a run to the finish as it is launching several higher-volume models this year including the convertible version of the IS sedan and the HS250h hybrid.

[Source: Automotive News]

Mercedes was expected to delay the launch of the E-class convertible by six months, but by the looks of this mostly completed version it appears near completion. If these spy photos are any indication then the drop-top E-Class might be ready in time for its originally scheduled debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall, rather than at the Geneva Auto Show next March.

The reason for the delay as reported in Auto Motor und Sport to be a cost issue, related to both development and marketing.

As development seems to have pushed ahead, it is still possible that the marketing (and, therefore, the launch) of the car will wait until next Spring – perfect timing for a convertible.

The E-Class Convertible, which is based on the C-Class chassis, is expected to make use of a soft-top rather than a hard-top to help keep weight to a minimum.

There continues to be no word on the delay of the E-Class Estate.

GALLERY: Mercedes E-Class Convertible

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: KGP Photography]

Yesterday photos of a new Lamborghini model surfaced on the web and today Lamborghini has confirmed that the new model is indeed the LP550-2. But there is more to the story than that. The new model is officially named the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, after the former Lamborghini test driver turned brand ambassador.

Balboni was hired by Lamborghini in 1967 by Ferruccio Lamborghini himself. His driving expertise have  helped to fine tune cars like the Miura and since 1973 he has driven every prototype the exotic Italian automaker has created.

Balboni’s motto is that, “A Lamborghini must always combine the precision of a race car with the reliability of a good friend.”

In keeping with Balboni’s automotive enthusiasm the LP550-2 makes 550hp at 8000 rpm and 398hp at 6500 rpm. What is truly exciting, however, is that this model, as the “2″ in the name suggest, is rear-wheel drive. Even more exciting, it weighs just 3,042 lbs!

Those two factors combine to offer a 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph.

Lamborghini completely re-engineered the LP560-4 to come up with this special edition model. With the lighter weight and rear-drive layout new springs, shocks, sway bars and even tires are required. Even the aerodynamics have been changed slightly. Lamborghini also reprogrammed the ECU to work better with the rear rear-drive setup and new limited-slip-differential, allowing for significantly more sideways action in the high-performance CORSA mode.

Other highlights include a clear engine cover, a backup camera, a navigation system, Bluetooth and a hydraulic air suspension for the front axle.

The special edition LP550-2 Valentino Balboni will be offered in eight colors including Bianco Monocerus, Verde Ithaca, Arancio Borealis and Nero Noctis. The wheels will come in dark gray with the brake calipers in either black, orange or yellow.

In total, just 250 units of the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni will be built at a cost of $219,800.

GALLERY: Lamborghini LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

Full specifications after the jump:

Continue Reading…

After news reports late last week that Suzuki was in talks with Volkswagen, the Japanese automaker’s CEO has officially denied the story.

“So far there’s been absolutely no contact (with Volkswagen),” said Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki to the Chunichi Shimbun daily. “Lately, we’ve been the victim of a lot of rumors (of equity tie-ups and cooperation deals).”

Reuters cited an unnamed source claiming that VW was in talks with Suzuki to take a 10 percent stake in the automaker and engage in a partnership to build mini cars for emerging markets. The new vehicle was reported to be even smaller than the Volkswagen Up! concept, which is slated to go on sale in 2011.

[Source: Reuters]

The upcoming Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid will be a sporty alternative to Japanese hybrids says the car’s chief engineer. Andrew Farah let this juicy bit of info slip on a recent chat session on GM’s official FasLane blog.

“Our chassis is much more sporty than either of the other vehicles,” said Farah, referring to the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. One-upping a Toyota in a performance contest isn’t exactly something to brag about and while Honda usually makes an excellent handling car, the new Insight is not a usual Honda and even rides on a rear suspension setup that is only “semi-independent.”

Perhaps the extra sportiness of the Volt will help to justify its expectedly high price-point.

Farah also let slip some other info about the car. He confirmed that the battery port for recharging the lithium-ion battery pack (which has a life expectancy of 10 years) has been relocated from the fender trim to where the gas cap would typically be.

Farah also said that the Volt will be undergoing hot weather testing this summer “out west,” so to everyone in Phoenix, we suggest you keep your cell phone cameras ready.

[Source: Edmunds]

In the latest issue Consumer Reports tests 22 small cars and hatchbacks and Honda’s new Insight only rates a “Good.” That might not sound all that bad, but CR usually gives all Hondas an “Excellent” or “Recommended” or “Top Pick” rating.

Out of 22 cars, the Insight is just 21st. The only car to rate lower is the Dodge Caliber… ouch!

“The Insight is the most disappointing Honda Consumer Reports has tested in a long time,” said David Champion, senior director of CR’s Auto Test Center. “The Insight is a noisy, stiff-riding car with clumsy handling that is nothing like the Fit on which it is based. Also, Electronic Stability Control is only available on the highline EX version.”

Still CR did highlight the Insight’s fuel-economy at a tested 38 mpg. Honda officially claims 40/43 mpg (city/highway). The car’s braking was also cited as a high-point.

The car did not, however, live up to Honda’s handling standards, which we suspect has a lot to do with the only semi-independent rear end.

As a result of this the Insight will not receive the Consumer Reports “Recommended” stamp of approval, which is based on test data, predicted reliability and crash testing.

Read AutoGuide ‘s review of the 2010 Honda Insight at the link below:

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/honda/2010-honda-insight-1126.html

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Lamborghini has just released dozens of stunning new photos of its latest exotic, the LP560-4 Spyder. This drop-top Lambo first launched at last year’s L.A. Auto Show and news of the model has been relatively quiet. The release of these photos, however, comes as customers start to take deliveries and the Italian automaker begins to once again drum up interest in its latest creation – so you’re sure to see plenty of LP560-4 reviews over the next few weeks and months.

Be sure to check out our huge gallery below:

GALLERY: Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder

According to a recent report in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, Audi is set to bring back the Quattro Coupe. The new model will be based on the Audi A5 and debut next year to celebrate 30 years since the launch of the original Quattro.

Weight of the new Quattro would be closer to 3,000 lbs, however, the engine Audi will use for the new model is not known. To save weight, the 4.2-liter V8 is most likely out of the question and rumors point to a twin-turbocharged V6. There is also the potential of using the TT-RS’s new turbocharged five-cylinder, which would make sense considering original Quattro also had a five-cylinder. Regardless, power is expected to be anywhere in the 300 to 425hp range.

Other highlights of the new Quattro include polycarbonate windows instead of glass ones, carbon ceramic brakes, an active rear spoiler, lightweight 19- or 20-inch wheels, an adjustable magnetic-ride suspension and a sporty race-like interior.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: AutoBild]

Toyota will bring its iQ city car to North America by 2012, badged as a Scion model. Scion debuted a concept of the iQ (shown above) at the New York Auto Show this year. When it does launch, however, expect it to look significantly more tame.

Currently the  mini car (about the size of a SMART fortwo) is sold in Europe and Asia and three engines are offered. Once it makes its way to North America we are likely to get the 1.33-liter four-cylinder with 99hp. Although according to Toyota a 1.6-liter engine will fit.

The iQ is technically a 3+1, meaning that it can seat three adults and one child. This is possible by locating the passenger seat ahead of the driver’s seat so that there is actual leg room for a rear passenger on the passenger’s side.

The iQ is also slated to be the base of an electric vehicle due out in 2012, and recently Aston Martin announced it was working on a concept, the Cygnet, that is based on the iQ.

The Scion iQ is expected in either 2010 or 2011 as a 2011 or 2012 model.

GALLERY: Scion iQ

[Source: Motor Trend]

After continued rumors that General Motors was still shopping-around its European Opel operations, it appears as though a new buyer has been found. RHJ International, a Belgian company has been cited as the latest bidder and apparently a tentative deal could be signed by the end of the week.

Initially Opel was slated to be sold to Canadian autoparts manufacturer Magna International, but those plans have hit several roadblocks. Magna’s deal did not guarantee the same amount of job protection to Opel’s German workforce and so it put in jeopardy a $2.1 billion loan from the German government. Additionally, GM was not excited about the prospect of handing over its technology so that Magna and Russian partners Sberbank and GAZ could use it to build vehicles for the Russian market.

The deal put forward by RHJ, on the other hand, is more likely to be attractive to the German government and GM would not have to fear competition in the Russian marketplace.

According to the Financial Times, however, the RHJ deal is more attractive because of one factor, the price. An initial bid by the holding company had GM sign an agreement with Magna instead, but apparently RHJ has now upped its offer.

According to the Financial Times, GM could sign tentative agreements with both companies, meaning that the sale of Opel to Magna is not completely out of the question.

One of the other Opel bidders, China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Corp., is also expected to make GM a more attractive offer in the near future.

So it looks like Opel is in hot demand and GM is back in the driver’s seat as it looks to get the most for its European operations and emerge from bankruptcy in the best financial state possible.

[Source: Automotive News]